Spring will be a late bloomer

Today's date is the ninth of March. Daylight saving time began at 2 a.m.

Daylength is now more than 11˝ hours long. The full Worm Moon lights the landscape in seven days, and St. Patrick's Day is only eight days away. We need to wait just 11 days to welcome the Vernal Equinox. If all of these dates are true (and they are) where is spring? Where are the birds, warm breezes and thawing ground?

It is not the single-digit night temperatures or the layer of ice covering the ground that concern me as much as the knowledge that spring will only last for an eye blink, then summer will be here. Think of all that spring should provide us.

We have a "right" to enjoy 30 days or more to watch a parade of spring-flowering bulbs, from Snowdrops to peonied-flowering tulips, witchhazels to Korean flowering Viburnum, and the yellow flowers of Cornelian cherry to the white bells of a Silverbell tree. We should have time to plant the peas and onions, followed by the greens, then the root crops, and finally the heat-loving vegetables.

We should have the time to repair the winter damage done to trellises, arbors and support structures. Time is needed to carry out from winter storage the benches, chairs and other garden furniture. Time should be granted us to accomplish these and other tasks in a leisurely manner before the May flies, deer flies, and other nasty biting bugs start their yearly harassment.

Finally, and of greatest importance, we should have the time (make it if we must) to observe, savor, appreciate and enjoy the miracle of being present when the world is being reborn. The winter is, to a degree, always stressful, this year more so than usual, yet, we survived — now enjoy!

How can we take the time, make the time, to accomplish the myriad tasks in what is likely to be a shortened spring season and still experience spring? The answer is that we must plan our work and work our plan. What jobs need doing? How can the tasks be scheduled?

Dig the garden, vegetable and flower, after the soil has drained and dried and all debris has been removed and composted. Spread lime lightly if needed, rain will wash it into the ground, and compost thickly (3 to 4 inches), if you have it available. Plant vegetables in sequence — cold hardy to tender. Dig and rake an area sufficient to plant the peas and onions. Next, a day or a week later, plant the lettuce, broccoli and other greens, followed by root crops. Focus only on your schedule to achieve your plan.

Shrubs, small trees, small limbs, hedges and vines should be inspected for fractures and breaks that occurred over winter. Prune as needed. If you plan to add woody plants into your landscape this year, do it as soon as the ground can be worked. Research now. Make your decision as to the varieties of fruiting and flowering trees you want, then visit a local nursery that grows their own plants and ask for directions from professionals.